Welcome back! The start of a new school year brings many opportunities and many changes. Teachers hone their craft; they try new lessons, implement new strategies, and introduce new materials and resources. Parents set the stage; they get their children back into a schedule, help them ease into a new school or adjust to having a new teacher, and even tackle milestones such as starting kindergarten, entering high school, or packing up for college. Administrators get things going; they have been working all summer to prepare buildings, order supplies, and hire staff. It is surely an exciting and exhilarating time for everyone.

For students, a new school year brings with it the precious opportunity to “start fresh.” Even if the prior school year was their most successful yet, every grade provides new and exciting challenges. Whether a child or young adult wants to reinvent their personal style, explore a new sport or activity, get better grades, or throw themselves into a passion project, school offers limitless possibilities for them to pursue their dreams in a safe, nurturing environment that allows them to take risks, struggle or fail, and pick themselves up, being better for the experience.

As Easton’s new Superintendent, I want to assure you that the loving and tolerant environment that has always been enjoyed in Easton will continue to be our highest priority. I’d like to remind us all of the Core Values by which all decisions, great and small, are made in EPS. They are Academic Excellence and Equity for All, Cooperative and Caring Relationships, Respecting and Valuing Diversity, and Commitment to Community. As you can see, every one of these values is predicated on the notion that we are all equally viewed, valued, and embraced. Clearly we are facing some turbulent times in our nation and in our world. It is up to us as parents, educators, and community members to work together to serve as the models of the civility, social justice, and respectful discourse that we wish each of our own children to emulate and enjoy.

I assure you that these Core Values will be at the forefront of all we do in the Easton Public Schools so that every child can enjoy their “fresh start.” I am thrilled to be part of this extraordinary learning community, and I thank you for your continued support in making the Easton Public Schools the world class school system it is today. Please let me know how I can be of assistance throughout the school year. I look forward to working with each of you to make all of our children’s dreams come true.